Potential Red Sox Trade Target Addresses Deadline Rumors

The Boston Red Sox are just over two weeks away from Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, and all signs point to the team being buyers when the dust finally settles on July 31.

Entering the All-Star break on a 10-game winning streak and sitting three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East, the Red Sox have developed a couple of glaring needs after injuries to Triston Casas and Hunter Dobbins created major holes on the team’s roster.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn is a name the Red Sox have been connected to since Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury in May. Named to the AL All-Star team this season, O’Hearn is in the midst of a career season while the Orioles have taken a major step back following a disappointing 43-52 start in 2025.

That being said, O’Hearn has become one of the most coveted players on the trade market this summer, with Baltimore expected to be major sellers at the trade deadline. Aware of the rumors circling his name, O’Hearn recently spoke with WEEI’s Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast about the possibility of being traded.

“It can be challenging, the way that you know the media is today,” said O’Hearn. “It just seems like there’s no hiding from anything. Seems like rumors fly, and everyone sees them and things like that. But I’ve kind of challenged our guys (to) just stay away as much as possible. I want to show up every day and play for the Baltimore Orioles.”

A veteran of eight MLB seasons, O’Hearn is no stranger to clubhouse dynamics and chemistry. While being dealt to another organization remains in the back of his mind, he’s more focused on trying to help turn things around with his current ball club.

“We’ve talked about it like trying to stay together as a team, said O’Hearn. “And it’s a great group of guys. I’ve been there the last few years and we have a great group who enjoy playing together. We had a brutal start to the season, and we’ve been slowly digging our way out of that hole ever since.”

O’Hearn is batting .286 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs with Baltimore this season. He’s a career .250 hitter with 78 home runs and 284 RBIs during an eight-year career spent with the Kansas City Royals and Orioles.